Off-grid site report
Union County, GA
34.8623, -83.9994 · 1,850 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Union County, GA, not legal advice and not a guarantee. Rules change, and the deciding facts on any specific parcel (setbacks, perc results, overlay districts, deed restrictions, road frontage) live at the county or town office, not in any database. Before you buy land or build, confirm the current rules directly with the local zoning and health offices - the sources on this page tell you exactly who to call.
The local rulesUnion County, GA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyUnion County has adopted a countywide zoning ordinance (Code Chapter 44) with district-based use, setback, height, and lot coverage rules, plus mountain protection and river corridor overlays in sensitive areas. Variances go through the county Planning and Zoning Department. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedThe county requires a building permit for RVs, tiny homes, yurts, or any alternative habitable structure used as a residence, and has a separate Manufactured Homes and Trailers ordinance (Chapter 46) restricting older mobile homes/RVs as residences. Adoption of Georgia's optional tiny house appendix is not confirmed for Union County specifically. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedUnion County enforces mandatory Georgia state minimum construction codes (2020 editions or later with state amendments) and requires a permit before any grading, construction, or electric hookup. Permits are valid one year (six months for mobile homes) and are not renewable. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems are permitted through Georgia DPH's regional environmental health structure under statewide rules (Chapter 511-3-1); no standalone Union County health department page was found, so contact the district environmental health office directly. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Union County-specific greywater ordinance was found; the state plumbing code and O.C.G.A. §31-3-5.2 appear to be the operative baseline. Confirm with Building & Development if you plan a system.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Union County-specific rainwater harvesting ordinance was found; the state plumbing code appendix appears to be the operative baseline. Not confirmed at the county level.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells fall under Georgia's statewide Water Well Standards Act, administered by EPD with county/district environmental health involvement rather than a distinct Union County water authority. County-specific rules beyond the state baseline are not confirmed. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNothing in Union County code directly bans living disconnected from utilities once a structure is permitted and septic/well are compliant, but the code does require a building permit before any electric connection, which creates an indirect hurdle. Not confirmed beyond this linkage. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.1 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.9 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,373 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 56 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 3 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,246 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 25 to Oct 17
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Union General Health Systems - 2.7 mi
- Fire station
Towns County Fire & Rescue Station #2 - 9.9 mi
- Hardware store
The Home Depot - 2.9 mi
- Grocery
Walmart Supercenter - 0.1 mi
From OpenStreetMap. Road miles will be longer, often much longer in hill country.
Plan this spot
These open with this location's real numbers already filled in (ZIP 30512).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Union County, GA?The rules above are the jurisdiction. The land check runs the parcel itself: flood zone, soils and septic suitability, wetlands, slope, access, climate, and these verdicts, from a parcel number or coordinates.
Check a parcel →Share or save this report:New report
Sources: US Census Bureau geocoder; NLR PVWatts v8 (solar); NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 climate normals (nearest station) or Open-Meteo (ZIP-centroid) for weather; Open-Elevation; OpenStreetMap contributors. Public data retrieved Aug 22, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.
New here, or not sure where this fits? Start here walks through the whole thing in order.